Interferometric mass spectrometry

TL;DR

Interferometric mass spectrometry (Interf-MS) is a new quantum interference-based method for mass separation that offers a compact alternative to traditional accelerator mass spectrometry, enabling applications in mobile devices and challenging sample types.

Contribution

This paper introduces Interf-MS, a novel mass spectrometry technique utilizing quantum interference, distinct from AMS by separating based on absolute mass and operating at low velocities.

Findings

Interf-MS can distinguish samples by absolute mass m.

It operates effectively at low velocities, unlike AMS.

Potential for portable and sensitive applications.

Abstract

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a widely-used technique with multiple applications, including geology, molecular biology and archeology. In order to achieve a high dynamic range, AMS requires tandem accelerators and large magnets, which thus confines it to big laboratories. Here we propose interferometric mass spectrometry (Interf-MS), a novel method of mass separation which uses quantum interference. Interf-MS employs the wave-like properties of the samples, and as such is complementary to AMS, in which samples are particle-like. This complementarity has two significant consequences: (i) in Interf-MS separation is performed according to the absolute mass $m$, and not to the mass-to-charge ratio $m/q$, as in AMS; (ii) in Interf-MS the samples are in the low-velocity regime, in contrast to the high-velocity regime used in AMS. Potential applications of Interf-MS are compact devices for mobile applications, sensitive molecules that break at the acceleration stage and neutral samples which are difficult to ionise.